I have a one-year-old intact male English cocker that I got 2 months ago from a private rescue (someone helping the original owner). He's doing great in almost every way - comes 98% of time (outside on 30' leash & in house), sits, long stays, lies down, waits, me out the door first, fetch and drop, only 4 potty mistakes in 2 months, only one in last 5 weeks - a real sweetie, great with kids, adult people and meeting new dogs.
One big problem, outside in our yard (1 1/2 acre field) he totally loses it when another dog and owner walk by on our street, even from 100-125 feet away. It's a popular road for joggers, bikes, etc. but mostly he's very cool. Just other dogs/dog walkers push his buttons.
He stretches himself out long, rear end lowered, rear legs back long, head and shoulders raised, lunges and pulls full strength on leash, refuses sit/down, and barks aggressively and out of control. There's been some improvement lately but, honestly, I don't like how hard I have to jerk his leash to get his attention and he continues whimpering, and barking long after the dog is gone. He even did this with a dog he already met and behaved well with.
I would add that I'm a quadriplegic in a wheelchair and I'm concerned about losing hold of the lead. My hands are fragile and I can't stress my hands this much. If not for this problem he's everything I've wanted in every way, the perfect service dog for me because of his size, usual gentleness, sweet temperament, easy train-ability, and innate fetch/retrieve instinct. He's very food oriented but when this happens I need my limited hand strength to hold the lead, not offer treats.
Any thoughts? thanks in advance.
One big problem, outside in our yard (1 1/2 acre field) he totally loses it when another dog and owner walk by on our street, even from 100-125 feet away. It's a popular road for joggers, bikes, etc. but mostly he's very cool. Just other dogs/dog walkers push his buttons.
He stretches himself out long, rear end lowered, rear legs back long, head and shoulders raised, lunges and pulls full strength on leash, refuses sit/down, and barks aggressively and out of control. There's been some improvement lately but, honestly, I don't like how hard I have to jerk his leash to get his attention and he continues whimpering, and barking long after the dog is gone. He even did this with a dog he already met and behaved well with.
I would add that I'm a quadriplegic in a wheelchair and I'm concerned about losing hold of the lead. My hands are fragile and I can't stress my hands this much. If not for this problem he's everything I've wanted in every way, the perfect service dog for me because of his size, usual gentleness, sweet temperament, easy train-ability, and innate fetch/retrieve instinct. He's very food oriented but when this happens I need my limited hand strength to hold the lead, not offer treats.
Any thoughts? thanks in advance.